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Fire Science and Technology Office

PRESENTS

Approaches In Fire Fighting

by

ENGR. NELSON S. SE, SR.

Chief, Fire Science & Technology Office

During the
Industrial Fire Safety Training Course
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

OSHC Complex, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

@ March 2002

1.
1. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
2.
2. FIRE
FIRE SCIENCE
SCIENCE AND
AND FUNDAMENTALS
FUNDAMENTALS
3.
3. GENERAL
GENERAL CAUSES
CAUSES OF
OF FIRE
FIRE
4.
4. ELEMENTS
ELEMENTS OF
OF FIRE
FIRE CONTROL
CONTROL
5.
5. TACTICAL
TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
CONSIDERATIONS

Fire is considered as one of the most ruthless agent of destruction that

natural and man-made environment faced.
And fighting it as a foe, one of the best weapons one can have is
knowledge and understanding of the enemy.

OZONE DISCO FIRE :

162 DEATHS plus INJURIES
LUNG CENTER FIRE :
25 DEATHS plus INJURIES
DAMAS de ISLAS de FILIPNAS
FIRE : 23 DEATHS plus
INJURIES
QC MANOR HOTEL FIRE :
75 DEATHS plus INJURIES
An average losses of SEVENTEEN MILLION PESOS a day

The
CHALLENGE:

1. Terminologies
2. Fire Triangle & Tetrahedron
3. Chemistry and Physics of Fire
4. Combustion and Co-factors
5.
Fire
Development
and
Behavior
6. Fire Extinguishment Theory

TERMINOLOGIES

is

a specialize field of science that requires

the understanding of fire from inception to
flaming combustion and beyond, and is
essential if man is to control the destructive
nature of fire

.. is a fundamental approach to the understanding of fire

science and serves as a foundation of all fire testing and fire
protection technology development.
It has evolved from basic to applied studies of thermal
columns, flame, the mechanism of flame spread, composition of
smoke and other product of combustion, the mechanism of
heat transfer, the effect of ventilation and/or pressure on fire
severity, and predicting flashover, etc.
Through research, fire test methods are developed to further
enhance ones knowledge of a product or material.

 is a regime of technical process utilizing the application of the

results of fire research, experience, and engineering fundamentals
that developed approaches and tools by which the risk and hazard
of fire can be managed and minimized, if not completely prevented
or eliminated, and together with attributed problems, can be
assessed and solution found.
Correspondingly, the fire protection practitioner uses these
approaches and tool to make total assessment, design the solution,
and plan the method by which the solution will be implemented.
In some cases this technology is referred as Fire Control
Technology or Fire Protection Technology

are measures directed toward avoiding the inception of fire.

This can be achieve by changing or

controlling:
a. the source of heat that leads to
ignition;
b. the source of fuel that first ignited;
or

 is a form of assessment or evaluation carried out

by recognized approved fire laboratories in terms of
the test specimens performance under fire condition,
in a simple or various ranges of method based on
approved standards, in order to ensure that a material
or element of the construction can be safely used in a
building or any type of structure or utilization without
adding to the severity of a fire and its effects.

This
generally embraces all
measures relating to safeguarding
of human life and preservation of
property in
the prevention,
detection and extinguishments or
suppression of fires.

FIRE TRIANGLE
AND TETRAHEDRON

BURNING, also called COMBUSTION, a simple chemical reaction.

1.
2.
3.

Described as a rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and

light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a
combustible substance;
It is also referred to as a process of rapid oxidation with the development of
heat and light;
As a reaction that is a continuous combination of a fuel (reducing agent)
with certain elements, prominent among which is oxygen in either a free or
combined form (oxidizing agent).
ITS OCCURRENCE AND EVOLUTION IS DEFINED BY:

The Fire Triangle Theory

The Tetrahedron Theory

FIRE THEORY :

NO CHAIN REACTION

OXYGEN IS AT INTERFACE
OF GLOWING FUEL

FUEL IS IN THE FORM OF

INCANDESCENT SOLID

Surface (glow) type of combustion

OXYGEN

TEMPERATURE

FUEL

UNINHIBITED CHAIN
REACTION OF
COMBUSTION PROCESS

DIFFUSION
&
CONTINUOUS
AUTOMATICALLY
OBTAINED
TEMPERATURE LEVELS

AT

REIGNITION
FLAME

FUEL IS IN FORM OF VAPOR

AND/OR GAS

Flaming type of combustion

CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS

OF FIRE

is an important part of firefighting.

Knowing units of measurements (English or Metric System) is

ESSENTIAL in firefighting, especially in understanding the
CHEMISTRY and PHYSICS OF FIRE.
Firefighters use terms for heat, electricity, volume, length,
energy output, concentrations, weight, and etc. hence it is
important to know the forms of measurement that describe these
elements and understand the limits of each as it relates to safety
of the firefighter and the team.
A firefighter should know that a fire that is generating many
thousands of British thermal units (Btus) will need a fire flow
out put of hundreds of gallon per minute to extinguish the fire.

- is defined as something that occupies space

and can be perceived by one or more senses

BASIS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE UNIVERSE.

AS MATTER INTERACTS, substances are formed, changed,
and destroyed.
MATTER DOES NOT DISAPPEAR, IT MERELY
CHANGES FORM.
FORMS OR STATES:

SOLID, LIQUID and GASEOUS.

STATES OF MATTER

Sample of solid matter:

Compound is
composed of
molecules.
Molecules are
made up of atoms
of two or more
elements in
chemical
combination..
Atoms are made
up of still smaller
particles called
electrons, neutrons,
and protons.
Nucleus is made
up of protons and
neutrons, orbited
by electrons

Differences between organic and inorganic substances

becomes important when discussing the chemistry of fire.

ORGANIC COMPOUND substance that is or was once living. Generally

contain the elements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in their make-up.
Examples: hair, gasoline, wood, and plastics.
> Something can be organic although it has never been alive itself,
but made up of chemicals that were once alive. Example: a plastic substance,
although never actually alive, is made from oil more commonly referred to as
hydrocarbons (a compound that is made up of at least two elements, hydrogen
and carbon).
INORGANIC COMPOUND substances that were never alive. Examples:
iron, sulfur,granite, quartz, and silica, etc. They are generally termed as
MINERALS and for most part do not contribute to combustion process.
As a RULE of THUMB, only organic materials will burn!
(with some exceptions)

HYDROCARBON hydro (hydrogen)

and carbon (carbon)
The number of carbon atoms in
combination with the number of
hydrogen atoms will determine the
properties of the substance and, more
importantly, how it will react under
varying condition.
Example: the figure show the
hydrocarbon elements are joined to
from the compound methane. In its
bonds between the atoms, the substance
methane holds forces that, when split
apart, will emit heat and light

A Figure of the a methane (CH4) molecule

Fire Load
The mount of material which is able to burn and release
heat and smoke is normally referred to as fire load. In a
compartment, limitation of fuel will help to reduce the
dangers of heat and smoke.
The measurement of fire load (calorific value) is
expressed in MJ kg 1. Examples of values for common
materials are:

1. Chemical
2. Mechanical
3. Electrical
4. Nuclear

CHEMICAL REACTION
Bond atomic glue that holds
molecules together. It is in this bond
that FIRE (or combustion) has its
origins.
Endothermic reaction when
molecules and atoms are joined, certain
amount of heat is absorbed into the
bond as part of the mechanism that
keeps the element together. Heat is
absorbed when bond is created.
Exothermic reaction when the bond
is broken, this reaction causes the
release of heat. The energy released
comes in the form of heat and light. If
the release is rapid enough to sustain a
continuous reaction, we see it as FIRE
and feel the release of the heat. When
this occurs, COMBUSTION has taken
place.

Most chemicals that are stable will maintain their

from unless something presents itself to change it.
- acts as a CATALYST in the breakdown of such otherwise stable molecule.
- possesses a CHEMICAL PROPERTY that can pull apart a molecule and break
apart the BOND that previously existed.
The emission of light and, more importantly, heat then causes the chemical to
break apart other compounds, letting loose more light and heat, which causes
other bonds to break apart, and so on. If the process is able to continue a selfsustaining chemical reaction, COMBUSTION results.
- one example of oxidizer is OXYGEN.
Oxidizing Chemicals and Their Names
SUBSTANCE

CHEMICALS

DESCRIPTION

SUFFIX

Chlorine

Cl

Chlorine by itself (Cl)

-ine

Sodium Chloride

Na Cl

Chlorine with sodium (Na)

-ide

Sodium Chlorite

Na Cl O2

Chlorine with sodium & 2 oxygens (O)

-ite

Sodium Chlorate

Na Cl O3

Chlorine with sodium & 3 oxygens (O)

-ate

A Figure of :

Combustion viz-a-viz Fire : The difference is on Chemical

Reaction Level.
Fire is a self sustaining process that emits light and heat as byproduct of that reaction. In combustion, the released heat
energy is reinvested in the process, causing the continued
reaction to occur repeatedly and if unchecked, with involvement
of greater access to fuel, oxygen, and heat, the growth will
accelerate.

COMBUSTIONS CO-FACTORS:
a.
Oxygen
and
its
effect
on
combustion;
b. Vapor Pressure and Vapor Density;
c. Ignition, Melting and Boiling Point;
and

Oxygen acts as a catalyst to the combustion process. With

abundance of oxygen, the chemical reaction is accelerated and
can cause some materials to ignite spontaneously or permit
materials to burn that would not burn under otherwise normal
oxygen concentration. While with diminished amount, the
combustion process is slowed

 Vapor Pressure is the

measurable amount of
pressure being exerted by
liquid substance as it
converts to a gas and
exert pressure against a
confined container

A BLEVE

Vapor Density the weight of a gas as

compared to normal air and is identified
as a number,
BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding
Vapor Explosion occurs when the vessel
holding the liquid ruptures as a result of
pressure being exerted on its sides when
the liquid it holds boils and the resulting
pressure exceeds the containers ability
to hold it.

 Ignition Point is that point where the need for outside heat application
ceases and the ability for the material to sustain combustion come from the
heat generated of the material itself.

It has been determined that gases can only ignite when certain
concentrations of that substance are present in air. If enough combustible
gas is not present, it is said that the mixture is to lean to burn. If there is
too much gas, it is said to be too rich to burn. When the concentration of a
gas falls into the range where it can ignite, it is said to be within its
flammable or explosive limits.
Flammable Limits of Some Materials
SUBSTANCE

LOWER

Acetone 2.6

12.8

UPPER

Butane

1.9

8.5

Kerosene

0.7

Natural gas

6.5

17

92 octane gasoline

1.5

7.6

Carbon monoxide

12.4

74

FIRE GROWTH and SPREAD

F
I
R
E
S
P
R
E
A
D

The way to stop a fire is to remove one of its essential

ingredients.
We have seen that for the self-sustaining chemical reaction we
call combustion to occur, four elements are needed: heat, fuel,
oxygen, and a continuing chemical reaction. REMOVE one of
them, and the fire will COLLAPSE.
We can extinguished the fire by application of :
a. temperature diminution;
b. fuel elimination;
c. oxygen elimination; or
d. chemical flame repression.

(MGA NAG-AAPOY NA DAHILAN)

1. Electrical
2. Friction
3. Foreign substance
4. Open flames
5. Smoking & Matches
6. Spontaneous combustion
7. Hot surfaces
8. Combustion sparks
9. Overhead materials
10. Static electricity
11. Miscellaneous

ELIMINATION OF FIRE CAUSES

1. Control Fuel
2. Control Heat
3. Control Oxygen
4. Control Reaction

FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM

1. Using Basic Factor of Fire
2. Using Methods of Fire Control
3. Using Decision Tree/Tactical Approach

TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
PUTTING OPERATION PLAN INTO ACTION

STRUCTURAL FIRE
COMPONENTS &
CONSIDERATIONS

Usually Class A Fire

Removal of Heat or Oxygen or

both.

Co-Factors:
1. Length of time the fire has been
burning
2. Building construction Materials
3. Occupancy type ands contents
4. Resources available (amount of
water, staffing, equipment, etc.)

GROUND COVER FIRE COMPONENTS & CONSIDERATIONS

a. Prevention of personal injuries from

fire or panic;
b. Fire protection engineering;
c. Regular and periodic inspection;
d. Early or immediate detection and
extinguishments of fire;
e. Damage control or limiting the
damage resulting from fire and fire
suppression activities

Fire Science and Technology Office

Approaches In Fire Fighting

by

ENGR. NELSON S. SE, SR.

Chief, Fire Science & Technology Office

THANK YOU!